The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they are ready to pull out all instant noodles from retail markets if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a recall order amid high sodium content issues.
DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Ruth Castelo said during a public briefing that Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual already endorsed Senator Raffy Tulfo’s calls over noodle salt content to the FDA and the Department of Health (DOH).
Tulfo said during the budget hearing of the DTI that some instant noodle brands offer more than 1,600 milligrams (mg) of sodium. A person can only consume 2,000mg of sodium a day.
Castelo explained that the DFA had the power to issue a recall order to pull out the said products.
“Kapag nakapaglabas na ng recall order ang FDA, katulong nila ang DTI sa pag-enforce nito,” she said.
“‘Pag nag-order ng recall ang FDA tatanggalin natin ‘yan sa bulletin at sisiguraduhin natin na hindi na siya nabebenta sa retail market,” Castelo said.
— Ronald Espartinez